Apparatus for regulating the level of liquid



May 25, 1937. s. CHALATOW 2,081,391

APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE LEVEL OF LIQUID Filed Oct. 30, 1935 Patented May 25, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE APPARATUS F OR REGULATING THE LEVEL OF LIQUID Application October 30, 1935, Serial No. 47,359

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to feed water regulators, and aims to provide a feed Water regulator, which is responsive to changes in the water level, to changes in load upon the boiler, to

changes in the rate of evaporation of the boiler, and to changes in the boiler temperature, the same being preferably so constructed and arranged that upon a sudden increase of load followed by a drop of boiler pressure and temperature, the supply of water to the boiler is diminished or entirely out off.

After the increase of heat supply takes place to meet the increased demand for steam, and the steam temperature and pressure rises as the result of added heat, the water supply is again resumed. When the conditions are such that the load and supply of heat may be said to be in a state of equilibrium, so that a predetermined pressure and temperature of steam is obtained, the water level is kept within a constant range by increasing the supply of water with the increase of steam demand and decreasing the supply of feed water with the decrease of steam demand.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as the description proceeds,

which is to be taken in conjunction with accompanying drawing which shows one form of my invention.

While the application of the invention is not to be considered as limited to any particular use, yet for the purpose of demonstration herein 1 have described the regulator as applied to a conventional cross-drum type boiler. The embodir ment is shown by way of example only, and numerous other embodiments will suggest themselves tothe minds of those skilled in the art, and I do not limit myself to any specific construction or arrangement of parts, and may alter the construction and arrangement of parts without enlarging the scope of my invention within the appended claims.

Of the drawing the figure is an elevation of the entire system which embodies the features of the invention applied to a cross-drum boiler, the

drawing being more or less diagrammatic.

Referring more particularly to accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several 50 views; l designates a conventional type boiler drum to which the water is fed by means of a feed water pipe 2, connected to the boiler in a suitable manner, the water being controlled by a balanced pressure type feed water valve 3. The

55 stem 4 of the valve 3 is connected to a piston 5,

which is adapted to move inside the cylinder 6, but its upward movement is opposed by the resistance of the spring 1 imposed between the piston and the end of the cylinder 6. The space of the cylinder 6 under the piston 5 is in com- 5 munication with the discharge end of the oil pump 8 through discharge pipe 9, and with the oil reservoir [0 through pipe II. The oil pump 8 is driven by an engine l2 receiving motive fluid through pipe l3 controlled through valve M. The 10 pipe conduit l5 leading steam from the boiler is provided with an orifice IE or other constricted flow aperture arranged for the passage of steam. A tube H which taps the conduit I5 on the side of the orifice nearest to the source of supply has 15 communication with the chamber l8, and the tube l9 which taps the conduit at the side of the orifice farthest from the source of supply has communication with the chamber 20. The chambers l8 and 20 contain some liquid (for instance, mer- 2 cury) and the level in the chamber l8 establishes the level in the chamber 20 and vice versa, the two chambers being connected by pipe 2|. The receptacle l8 contains a float 22 operatively connected to valve I4. 25

The receptacle 23 is closed at both ends and is' supported on knife edges 24 by the beam 25 which is pivotally supported by fulcrum 26 which is supported by the frame 21; said frame being fixed to some suitable structure (for instance, the 30 one supporting the boiler). Near the upper and lower end of the receptacle 23 are attached flexible tubes 28 and 29 which are connected with the steam and water spaces of the boiler drum I respectively. The weight of receptacle 23 is counterbalanced by an adjustable counter-weight 3!] which is attached to beam 25. The beam 25 is connected by means of link 3| to a pendulum 32. Said pendulum being supported on the frame 21 by knife fulcrum 33. The beam 25 is connected through lever 34, rod 35 and stem 36 to the piston 31 of the throttle valve 38, which valve controls the return of oil from cylinder 6 to the oil reservoir ID. The lever 34 through a pivot 39 is supported from some beam or column or some other suitable structure.

The pipe conduit 40 by-passes the throttle valve 33 and is controlled by valve 4|, which is responsive to the temperature controller 42 which bulb is located in the boiler drum and is responsive to changes in temperature'in the boiler drum.

It would be understood from the description so far that as the water level in the boiler drum I falls the level in the receptacle 23 will also fall 55 and the weight of said receptacle will diminish and the momentum of the pendulum 32 will lift the receptacle 23 a certain amount. This movement will be communicated to rod 35, lever 31!, and stem 36, and to piston 31 of the throttle valve 38, and said piston will close some of the openings of said valves, thus restricting somewhat the flow of oil returning to the reservoir Ill, and increase the oil pressure in the cylinder 6 under piston 5, lift said piston against the resistance of the spring I, increase the opening of the valve 3, and thus admit more water to the boiler drum l through said valve.

As the water in the boiler drum I rises the water in receptacle 23 will also rise, and due to the increased weight the receptacle will descend a certain amount and through rod 35 lever 34 and stem 36 lift the piston 3! of the throttle valve 38 and by letting more oil flow to the reservoir I0, relieve the pressure under piston 5 of cylinder 6, and cause the piston to descend under the action of spring 7, and partially close the feed Water valve 3, and diminish the supply of feed water to the boiler drum I.

The opening of the feed water valve is thus regulated by the water level in the boiler drum and for the same water level the valve would be opened the same amount, were it not for the mechanism responsive to the changes in flow of steam.

Said mechanism operates as follows:Tlie restricted flow aperture l6 through which steam in the conduit is required to pass on its way from the boiler will result in the production of two hydrostatic pressures, one between it and the boiler, and the other between it and the point of discharge, and due to the ratio of pressure to velocity, the difference between those hydrostatic pressures will vary in definite proportion to the quantity of steam flowing through the conduit. In the operation of the device an increase in the flow in the steam conduit 15 causes an increase in the differential between the pressures, which differential is effective upon the level of the liquid in chambers l8 and 20. The change of level in the chamber IE will be effective upon the float 22 in a manner to increase the supply of motive fluid to the engine l2 through valve M. This will speed up the pump 8, increase the supply of oil to cylinder 6, underneath the piston 5, and thus for the same opening of the throttle valve 38 (resulting from a certain boiler water level) produce a greater opening of the feed water valve.

The above takes place only when the temperature and pressure in the boiler drum are within definite limits considered to be the limits of the normal operation of the boiler. When the load on the boiler is suddenly increased and the pressure and consequently the temperature in the boiler drum falls below certain predetermined limits, the temperature controller will open the by-pass valve 4! and allow oil to by-pass the throttle valve 38, reduce the pressure in the cylinder 6 underneath the piston 5, cause the piston to descend under the action of the spring 1, and decrease or entirely out the supply of feed Water to the boiler until the pressure and temperature return to. the normal limits of operation. When the level of water in the drum reaches the point below which it would not be safe to go, the piston 31 of the throttle valve 38 reaches a location which makes the piston 31 to close the by-pass 4D and therefore the effect of the temperature controller 42 on the boiler feed water supply- It is obvious, therefore, that the mechanism is so arranged that the by-pass only operates when the boiler water level is above the lower safe limit, and the by-pass of the throttle valve is cut out by the plunger 31 of the throttle valve 38 as soon as the boiler water level closely approaches the lower safe limit and feed water valve 3 is then only responsive to the changes in water level and steam flow. The discharge opening of the bypass 43 is located at such a point of the cylinder, in which the plunger 31 moves, that said plunger which is moved by the rod 36, which is moved by link 34, which is moved by rod 35, which is moved by beam 25, which is moved by receptacle 23, will completely cover and close said discharge opening of the by-pass when the receptacle rises to a position concordant with the lowest safe boiler water level. And it will be obvious that the closing or opening of the valve 4| under the influence of the temperature inside the boiler drum will have no effect on the amount of oil flowing through the by-pass when the water level in the drum is at the low limit, for then no oil will flow through said by-pass.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new herein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a boiler of detecting means responsive to the flow of steam in the conduit leading steam from said boiler, means controlled thereby for establishing a hydrostatic level, said level variably effective upon a float, a valve operatively connected to said float and controlling the supply of steam to a steam-driven liquid pump in such a manner that said supply is proportional to the quantity of steam discharged from the boiler, a boiler feed water valve, means operating said valve responsive to the pressure of the liquid discharged by said liquid pump, said pressure varying directly with the speed of said pump and inversely with the opening of a throttle valve placed ina conduit leading the liquid from the feed water valve operating mechanism, said throttle valve being responsive to the movement of a receptacle which is in communication with the steam and water spaces of the boiler by means of flexible tubes which permit the movement of said receptacle in accordance with the weight of water therein.

2. In a boiler water level control the combination with a resiliently mounted receptacle connected externally with the boiler in a manner to rise and fall with corresponding changes ofwater level in the boiler, of a valve having an actuating mechanism controlling the supply of water to said boiler, a liquid pump operatively connected to said valve actuating mechanism and adapted for varying the opening of said valve directly with the speed of said pump and inversely with the opening of a liquid controlling valve located in a conduit leading the liquid from the feed water valve actuating mechanism, said liquid controlling valve being responsive to the movement of previously mention-ed resiliently mounted receptacle, a by-pass, adapted to bypass said liquid controlling valve, so arranged and located that said by-pass is cut off by the plunger of the above mentioned liquid controlling valve when the water level in the boiler drum is below a predetermined safe limit, a temperature controlled valve responsive to the changes of temperature in the boiler drum and effective upon the quantity of liquid that flows through the above mentioned by-pass when said by-pass is not cut-off by the plunger of the liquid controlling valve.

3. In a boiler water level control the combination with a resiliently mounted receptacle connected externally with the boiler in a manner to 7 rise and fall with corresponding changes of water level in the boiler, of a valve having an actuating mechanism controlling the supply of Water to said boiler, a liquid pump operatively connected to said valve actuating mechanism and adapted for varying the opening of said valve directly with the speed of said pump and inversely with the opening of a liquid controlling valve located in a conduit leading the liquid from the feed water valve actuating mechanism, said liquid controlling valve being responsive to the movement of previously mentioned resiliently mounted receptacle, a by-pass adapted to by-pass said liquid controlling valve so arranged and located that said by-pass is cutaofi by the plunger of said liquid controlling valve when the water level in the boiler drum is below a predetermined safe limit, a temperature controlled valve responsive to the changes of temperature in the boiler drum and effective upon the quantity of liquid flowing through said by-pass, detecting means responsive to the variation of the flow of steam in the conduit leading steam from the boiler, means controlled thereby for establishing a hydrostatic level in a receptacle, said level variably effective upon a float, a valve operatively connected to said float, and controlling the supply of steam to the steam-driven liquid pump in such a manner that the supply of steam is increased with the increase of the quantity of steam flowing through the above-mentioned conduits leading steam from the boiler, and is decreased with the decrease of the quantity of steam flowing through the abovementioned conduit leading steam from the boiler.

4. The combination with a boiler of a balanced type boiler feed water valve, the stem of said valve being connected to a piston which is adapted to move in a cylinder, a liquid pump discharging liquid into said cylinder, said cylinder and piston being so arranged that the opening of the balanced type feed water valve is in direct proportion to the pressure of the liquid in the cylinder, said pressure being in direct pro-portion to the changes of the rate of discharge of said liquid pump and inversely proportional to the opening of a throttle valve controlling the discharge of the liquid from said cylinder, said throttle valve being operatively connected to a receptacle closed at both ends and attached to a yieldable support and adapted to move in accordance with the weight of the water therein, two flexible tubes connecting the upper and lower part of said receptacle with the steam and water spaces of the boiler respectively, a restricted flow aperture located in the pipe conduit leading steam from the boiler, the part of said conduit on one side of the restricted flow aperture being in communication with one chamber, the part of said conduit on the opposite side of the restricted flow aperture being in communication with another chamber,

both chambers being filled with some liquid and are in communication with each other, a float located in one of the chambers and operatively connected to a valve controlling the supply of motive liquid to the engine driving the abovementioned liquid pump.

5. The combination with a boiler of a balanced type boiler feed water valve, the stem of said valve being connected to a piston which is adapted to move in a cylinder, at liquid pump discharging liquid into said cylinder, said cylinder and piston being so arranged that the opening of the balanced type feed water valve is in direct proportion to the pressure of the liquid in the cylinder, said pressure being in direct proportion to the changes of the rate of discharge of said liquid pump and inversely proportional to the opening of a throttle valve controlling the discharge of the liquid from said cylinder, said throttle valve being responsive to the movement of a receptacle closed at both ends and attached to a yield able support and adapted to move in accordance with the Weight of the water therein, two flexible tubes connecting the upper and lower part of said receptacle with the steam and water spaces of the boiler respectively, a restricted flow aperture located in the pipe conduit leading steam from the boiler, the part of said conduit on one side of the restricted flow aperture being in communication with one chamber, the part of the said conduit'on the opposite side of the restricted flow aperture being in communication with another chamber, both chambers being filled with some liquid, and are in communication with each other, a float located in one of the chambers and operatively connected to a valve controlling the supply of motive fluid to the engine driving the above-mentioned liquid pump, a pipe conduit by-passing above mentioned throttle valve, a valve responsive to changes of temperature and pressure inside the boiler and controlling the amount of liquid flowing through said by-pass.

6. In a boiler water level control the combination with a resiliently mounted receptacle connected externally with the boiler in a manner to rise and fall with corresponding changes of water level in the boiler, of a valve having an actuating mechanism controlling the sup-ply of water to said boiler, a liquid pump operatively connected to said valve actuating mechanism and adapted for varying the opening of said valve directly with the speed of said pump and inversely with the opening of a liquid controlling valve located in a conduit leading the liquid from the feed water valve actuating mechanism, said liquid controlling valve being responsive to the movement of previously mentioned resiliently mounted receptacle, a by-pass adapted to bypass said liquid controlling valve and so arranged and located that said by-pass is cut-ofi by said liquid controlling valve when the Water level in the boiler drum is below a predetermined safe limit, a temporarily controlled valve responsive to the changes of temperature in the boiler drum and effective upon the quantity of liquid flowing through said by-pass, detecting means responsive to the variation of the flow of steam in the conduit leading steam from the boiler, means controlled thereby for establishing a hydrostatic level in a receptacle, said level variably effective upon a float, a controller operatively connected to said float, and controlling the supply of motive power to the motor or engine driving the liquid pump in such a manner that the supply of power to said motor or engine and the speed of the pump is increased with the increase of the quantity of steam flowing through the above-mentioned conduit leading steam from the boiler.

'7. The combination with a boiler of a balanced type boiler feed water valve, the stem of said valve being connected to a piston which is adapted to move in a cylinder, a liquid pump discharging liquid into said cylinder, said cylinder and piston being so arranged that the opening of the balanced type feed water valve is in direct proportion to the pressure of the liquid in the cylinder, said pressure being in direct proportion to the changes of the rate of discharge of said liquid pump and inversely proportional to the opening of a throttle valve controlling the discharge of the liquid from said cylinder, said throttle valve being operatively connected to a receptacle closed at both ends and attached to a yieldable support and adapted to move in accordance with the weight of the water therein, two flexible tubes connecting the upper and lower part of said receptacle with the steam and Water spaces of the boiler respectively, a restricted flow aperture located in the pipe conduit leading steam from the boiler, the part of said conduit on one side of the restricted flow aperture being in communication with one chamber, the part of said conduit on the opposite side of the restricted flow aperture being in communication with another chamber, both chambers being filled with some liquid and are in communication with each other, a float located in one of the chambers and operatively connected to a device controlling the supply of motive power to the motor or engine driving the above-mentioned liquid pump.

8. In a boiler water level control the combination with a resiliently mounted receptacle connected externally with the boiler in a manner to rise and fall with corresponding changes of water level in the boiler, of means responsive to the temperature inside the boiler and to the quantity of steam discharged from the boiler, which means are effective upon the quantity of water supplied to the boiler in such a manner that said supply is proportional to the steam discharged by the boiler, and inversely proportional to the level of water in the boiler, and said supply is out off when the temperature inside the drum of the boiler is substantially below the normal operative temperature, but said supply is again resumed, regardless of the temperature inside the boiler drum, when the level of water in the boiler drops below a predetermined safe limit.

LEON SERGIUS CHALATOW. 

